SE Electronics Reflexion Filter
Portable Vocal Booth June 20, 2008, 02:16 AM   Overview In a nutshell this is the best piece of recording gear I have ever had the fortune of coming into contact with (thus far). However, it is also one of those items that probably would not grace a Top 10 list of things to buy from a studio perspective and is not something I would have ever thought of buying. Well, that needs to change right here and right now!
You truly and honestly need to invest the money in the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter before anything else. Forget the microphone you had your eye on or the amp, this monetary investment makes MUCH more sense. The results you will achieve with this piece of equipment alone will instantly better your overall production values and work quality and you will be left wondering what you ever did before this piece of equipment got invented.
Out of the box the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter can appear quite intimidating. It's a strange looking contraption and even when looking at the included instructions a novice may still be left scratching their head like Stan Laurel! Luckily for me I had no set-up issues and within 5 minutes I had the weird looking SE Electronics Reflexion Filter set-up and ready to go.
There are a couple of things to note here. Firstly when fully constructed the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter is a very heavy addition to a microphone stand. I tried it on a boom microphone stand and it couldn't handle the weight and kept toppling over. Next I pulled out an upright microphone stand. This was better and the whole thing sat more comfortably without the fear of falling HOWEVER I was still not comfortable that at some point this whole setup would come crashing down. The only way I found to correctly counter balance your microphone stand while the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter was fully set-up was to make sure the arm of the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter was in direct alignment with the microphone stand leg. If this was the case there was no issues with toppling even on the tallest people (6ft +)!
Initially we did a couple of quick and concise audible tests. Starting with the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter on and then SE Electronics Reflexion Filter off. Everyone present on that first day here was blown away by the difference between the two. The easiest and most down to earth way to describe it would be that with the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter set-up the vocalist will sound like Terry Wogan (radio voice) and without they will just sound like themselves. The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter gives an amazing tone and just this quick little experiment alone got me excited for the 15+ sessions that the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter has ended up being used on!!
Since receiving the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter it has ended up becoming a staple part of my recording process diet. In fact, without using the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter it kind of feels like a major food group within my diet is missing i.e. dairy or meat. I really can't imagine life without the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter and I would advise EVERYONE that records music in anyway go out and invest in one right now. From project studios all the way up to Abbey Road - you all need the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter in your studio.
In fact, don't even bother finishing this review. Just go to your local store and get one for yourself right now. You will be glad you took my advise when you do!
What is the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter?
The Reflexion Filter is a 'portable vocal booth' that sits behind a microphone and provides isolation from problem reflections and room ambience, a revolution in recording technology.
The Reflexion Filter is a portable device for recording live sources with reduced room ambience. It is an advanced composite wall which is positioned behind any microphone by means of a variable position stand clamp assembly which ships with the product. The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter sturdy metal unit is composed of multiple different sound absorbing layers. The outer layer is aluminium with symmetrical holes placed at regular intervals. Inside is a layer of absorption wool, then a layer of aluminium foil. Next is a small air space followed by suspended and angled aluminium. All of these barriers stop excessive room energy from entering the back of the microphone whilst stopping the actual vocals from leaving the direct area of the mic and reflecting back.
The main function is to help obtain a ‘dry’ vocal or instrument recording. This is especially useful in studios without proper acoustic treatment, but can also be used to help record takes in control rooms, where the performer also has to operate the recorder, or in rehearsal studios to reduce ambient noise.
Test Drives
The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter has been test driven on every single session we have had at our studios (MySpace.com - Screamadelica - Recording Studio Cardiff - 29 - Male - Cardiff, UK - www.myspace.com/screamadelicastudio) since receiving it and it will be used at every single session we have going forward. I can't single out individual songs because there are too many! Go to Screamadelica.co.uk and listen to them all ending with Mark Maguire - 'Carry Me Back Home'. The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter has become an irreplacable part of our recording studio. Metaphorically like a knife is to a restaurant or a bottle opener is to a pub.
Conclusion
The Positives:
The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter is probably one of the best studio tools I have come across in a VERY long time. It offers so much functionality and diversity and will instantaneously better the recordings of every single studio that uses it. We have thoroughly tested this both in our acoustically treated live room and various other places like the corridor and the toilet. The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter stands up under pressure excellently and regardless of where it was placed your vocals will sounds amazing. The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter would not only be good for recording studios but I could see a major market for this piece of kit in radio. Just by putting the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter onto your mic stand you acheive the "Terry Wogan Radio Sound" with no mic or preamp changes at all!
The Negatives:
For an amateur getting this thing setup might prove to be a little difficult.
Verdict:
Build Quality: 10/10
Value for Money: 10/10
Ease of Use: 9/10
Versatility: 10/10
Sound Quality / Results: 10/10
OVERALL: 10/10
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Contact:
Sonic Distribution
(01525) 840400
http://www.sonic-distribution.com/uk/
Last edited by altsounds : September 25, 2008 at 01:58 AM.
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Author rating
| | Overall Rating | | 10 | | Build Quality | | 10 | | Value for Money | | 10 | | Ease of Use | | 9 | | Versatility | | 10 | | Sound Quality | | 10 | | 98% | | | |
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